Interlocking fastener construction



G. E. PWENTHCE INTERLOCKI NG FASTENER CONSTRUCII ON Filed April 28, 1924Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES GEORGE E. PRENTICE, OF BERLIN, CONNECTICUT.

INTERLOCKING FASTENER CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed April 28,

My invention relates to improvements in interlocking fastenerconstruction, of the form involving the use of a series of matingdevices arranged along the opposed edges of material in the form offabric, leather, or rubber or the like and which edges define theborders of a gap or opening in a garment or shoe or container and whichdevices cooperate to permit of readily closing and opening said gap oropening, reference being made to my com anion application filed August29, 1924, erial No. 7 35,- 014, and the object of my improvement is toproduce a device and means of producing the same whereby theconstruction will be relatively simple and economical and in use saiddevice will be convenient and efficient.

In the accompanying drawing:- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a pair ofstrips of fabric in the form of braided materialhaving edges opposed andprovided with interlocking fastener means in accordance with myinvention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of a portion of the same on a considerablyenlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the operating slide on the line 3-3 of Fi 1.

Figure '4 is a plan view of the blank for the slide on a reduced scale.I

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the lin 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing therelations of the parts in the locked position.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of a pair of strips of fabric in the formof webbing, of woven material, having edges opposed and provided withinterlocking fastener means also in accordance with my invention anddiffering in certain details from the structure shown in Fig. 1, both asto the interlocking devices proper and the operating slide.

Figure 7 is a similar view of a portion of the same on the same scale asFig. 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the operating slide on the line 8-8 ofFig. 6.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the blank for the slide that is shown inFigs. 6 and 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line 1924. S erial N0. 709,843.

10l0 of Fig. 6, showing the relation of the parts in the lockedposition.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing theinterengagement of the interlocking elements of the form that is shownin Figs. 6, 7 and 10.

My improvement in interlocking fastener construction sofar as concernsthe general operative features and also the field in which it isoperatively applied corresponds to devices in common use, the pur osebeing to provide means for openin an closing a gap and which latter maye rovided in a garment, shoe, pouch, or the li e.

Thus in the structure that is shown in Fig. 1 there are two strips 10 ofbraid that are positioned side by side and with the edge portions 11oppose one to the other. These may be ermanently connected as at thelower on s 12 by any suitable and proper means, such as the metalclip 13shown.

Said strips 10 extending upwardly from said clip 13 may be of any lengthdesired suited to the special need and the interlocking means serve topermit of alternatively closing and opening or unlocking said opposededge portions 11 and the operating means for effecting such closing andunlocking is in the form of a slide 14.

The interlocking means consist of a series of mating devices that areadapted to cooperate for the purpose mentioned. and which are extendedalong said edge portions 11. Said devices may be designated as the leftmembers 15, being at the left in Fig. 1, and the right members 16, whichare at the right. The entire series of the left members 15 is designatedby the character 17 and the series composed of the members 16 isdesignated by 18.

Said series are threaded through channels that are provided in the slide14, the series 17 in the left channel 19 and the series 18 in thechannel 20. Said channels 19 and 20 are bordered on the outsides bydependent flanges 40 that are connected along the top and bottom plates25. On the inside of each of said channels 19 and 20 and at the upperportion thereof is a wall 43 that serves to define the correspondingportion of the said channels. Said wall 43 is the equivalent of theflange 40 in function in that it serves as a guide under operatingconditions, but is formed difl'erently in that it is located at thejunction of the plate 25 with the arm 27 to be described and it isformed in each case by suitably swaging the material at said junction.The two ad acent junctions or swaged portions 43 meet in V-formation.

Said channels 19 and 20 are ad acent and parallel as to the lowerportions 21 and the upper portions 22 aredivergent. Thus the twochannels 19 and 20 are arranged in a Y-formation. The members of theseries 17 and 18 are slidable in their respective channels and operatethrough the movement of the slide to bring the members 15 and 16 intothe interengaging and interlocking position responsive to a lifting orupward movement of the slide 14 and to separate and unlock the same uponreverse movement.

Fixed stops, such as the metallic clips 32, of any approved and suitableform may be provided to limit the upward movement of the slide 14.

The left members 15 and right members 16 have free portions 23 that proect inwardly beyond the edge 11 of the braid 10 and that in the lockedposition overlap the mating free portions 23 that are opposed.

The features so far described are common to devices that are in commonuse.

One of the important features that serves to distinguish the presentinvention from such devices resides in the fact that, in lieu of havingthe locking members that compose the series in the form of individualand separate units, each of which is mounted upon and secured to thefabric by itself and independent of the others, they are untegrallyconnected. Actually each 881168 15 made up of a single piece of springwire that is wound in the form of a spring. The convolutions thereofcomprise in each case the inwardly projectin or overhanging portion 23mentioned at the inner side and the outer portion 24 outward therefrom.Said outer portion 24 is threaded through the material, the braid 10 inthe present instance, and serves as the connecting means forincorporating the structure of the spring with that of the fabric.

An important detail, however, is further to be noted. This is that thetwo springs are to be op ositely wound.

Thus in t e structure that is shown in Fig. 1 the left series 17 isformed by means of a simple plain helical or coil spring that is woundleft handed and the right series 18 by means of a right handed spring.

Also, the engagement with the braid 10 is effected by threading orscrewing the spring into the material.

By arranging the spacing between the convolutions to correspond to thethickness of the material, with some allowance for play or leeway, theoverlapping parts 23 will serve when interengaged to positively lock theedges 11 against separation.

As to the slide 14, this is made of sheet metal, and comprises similartop and bottom plates 25 that are opposed and positioned in spacedrelation and that are suitably swaged to provide the channels 19 and 20.

I prefer to form the two plates 25 integral from a blank that comprisesat the upper end a return bend or loop structure 26 that has opposedupper and lower arms 27 that merge individually with the top and bottomplates 25.

Under conditions of use the springs that are housed in the channels 19and 20 serve as spacers for the plate structures described so far asconcerns the minimum distance therebetween and simple means suffice forlimiting the outward spacing and holding the plates in operativeengagement with the springs. As shown, the arms 27 are provided withregistering openings 28 for a limiting device 29 that is virtually acotterpin having the eye 30 at the upper end and tht:1 bent-overfinger-ends 31 at the lower en The eye 30 is utilized, as shown, as theconnecting means for the operating handle 52 that is in the form of adished disc-like structure, suitable for being grasped by the fingersand thumb, and that is provided with a perforation for receiving thematerial of said eye 80.

Reverting to the details of the spring structures, suitable conditionsfor satisfactory operation are provided by the use of wire ofnickel-silver of .029 inches diameter, wound on a one-eighth inchmandrel and with an allowance of .010 inches leeway.

The spring structures 17 and 18 extend along the full length of the gapto be closed and to this end terminate at the fixed stops mentioned,comprising the stop 13 at the lower ends and the stops 32 at the upperends. Said stops also serve to fix the positions of the ends of thesprings and determine in this way the dimension in the longitudinaldirection or the effective over all length. In other words they tend tomaintain the spacing that is provided between the adjacent convolutionsand oppose the tendency that is inherent in springs generally and of thecoil form to open up and unwind when subjected to pressure.

The springs shown in Fig. 1 are precisely as wound on a cylindricalmandrel. In some cases it is desirable to provide 'a flatter and lessbulky form of structure and it is expedient to meet this condition byswa-ging the structure of the spring. Other features may also beintroduced by swaging, such as specially formed enga 'ng parts, anddiffering in this respect mm the structure of Fig. 1. Thus in saidfigure the-springs on the two sides are alike except that one isright-handed and the other left-handed.

Thus in the. structure that is shown in Fig. 6 the springs 17' and 18are both flattened the details being special as will be describereference being had to Fig. .10.

The border edge portion of the webbing 10 is represented by the cord 11shown in cross-section. Considering the left spring 17 a singleconvolution 15 thereof is shown. The form of said convolution issubstantially eggshaped, the smaller or more pointedend 24 being at theouter end and the larger and more open end 23' bein at the inner end.Said outer pointed en 24 is looped around the cord 11 and serves as theholding means or means for connecting the spring with the webbing. Thelarger and more open inner end 23 is in the form of a relatively openloop that is adapted to more readily receive and cooperate with themating locking member. That is to say, the receiving loop 23 is largerand more open than is the case with the spring in the original shape, asdelivered from the mandrel.

For cooperating with the loop 23 the right spring 18 has a hook-likevstructure 23 that is relatively narrow and pointed, and, also, isdirected inwardly and downwardly by means of an angle or abrupt bend 23in the material ad'acent the inner side. The form of the individualconvolutions 16 is also substantially egg-shaped with the relations ofthe large and small ends reversed relatively to the holding cord 11 andthe other parts from that described in regard to the left convolutions15.

The relation and construction of the smaller, pointed inner end 23" hasbeen described. The larger outer end 24 of the convolution 16 extendsaround the holdin cord 11".

By providing the specially formedlocking members as described a positivelocking effect is obtained with a larger leeway in the dimensions of theintere-ngaging parts.

Reverting to the details of the'left spring 17 and the right spring 18,it will be noted, as shown particularly in Fig. 7, that the in? dividualconvolutions comprise a portion in front and a portion in back of thefabric that are in a common plane and which plane is substantially atright angles tothe axis of the particular spring and at right angles tothe edge of the fabric. The portions referrcd to and seen in Fig. 7 areat the front of the fabric and serve to conceal the mating portions thatare at the rear, and they are designated by the character 50 for thespring 17 and the character 50 for the" spring 18.

Thus in the case of the spring 17, and considering an individualconvolution 15, the active portion is the larger or relatively openinner end 23" and this is in the form of a 100 orreturn bend that issupported by a pair of arms 50. Said-arms 50 cross the edge of thefabric, the one in front thereof and the other in back. Said arms 50,furthermore, connect individually with outer connecting portions 24".Thus the arms 50 that are shown as exposed and visible in Fig. 7 mergeat the left with' connecting portions 24 that are directed upwardly forconnecting with the convolution that is next above.

The mating arm 50 that is covered by the front arm 50 that is shown inFig. 7 is located at the rear of the fabric and merges with an outerconnecting portion 24 that is directed downwardly and that connects'withthe convolution that is next below in each case.

In the case of the right hand spring 18 and the individual convolutions16, the arms 50 support the return bends 23 that serve as the activeoverhanging portions of the convolutions and said arms 50 merge eachwith an outer connecting portion 299 that connect respectively, the onewith the convolution that isnext above and the other with theconvolution that is next below.

In Fig. 7 the arm 50 that is shown is the front arm for the differentconvolutions and these merge with a connecting portion 24* that isdirected so as to connect with the con volution that is next above.

The point to be particularly noted is that the springs 17 and 18*" havetheir convolutions so swaged that What may be described as a change inelevation from one convolution to the next is confined substantially tothe outer connecting portions 24? and 24:". It follows from this thatthe mating arms 5O and 50 in a particular case are located substantiallyin a common plane, as mentioned above, and that the particular plane isgenerally at right angles to the axis of the spring, or a radial plane.

In the slide 14? the opposed plates 25*, arms 27 of the return bendstructure 26, and the opening 28 for the limiting device 29 are similarto the corresponding parts already described. Said limiting device 29,however, is in the form of a finger or prong that extends integrallyfrom the lower free edge of the upper plate 25 and is bent upwardly topermit said finger or prong to be entered into the openings 28.Actually, however, there is an intermediate connecting strip 3O betweensaid plate 25 and the prong that extends over the top of said plate '25and serves as the eye for operatively holding the disc-like handle piece52. Thus the eye 80 is of elongated form and permits of limited travelfor the handle 52 over the top of the slide between the two operatingpositions, the one for locking and the other for unlocking.

In all of the different forms of structure shown and described theinterlocking elements are all made of wire and the contacting engagementof mating members involves essentially a crossing of wires in somemanner. This detail is advantageous both'as regards the feature ofconstruction and manufacture and also that of results under conditionsof use.

Thus in manufacture, only. a bending of the material is involved informing the active part or interlocking part proper.

As to use, with the members made of wire there is less liability ofbecoming forcibly locked or frozen, a condition that may require damageor injury to the parts to effect a separation.

I claim as my invention:-

1. A fastener of the class described comprising two opposed series offastener elementssecured respectively to the edges of material borderinga gap or opening, each series of fastener elements being formed of anopen coil wire, the fastener elements of each series being so spaced andshaped as to receive between them the fastener elements of the otherseries and to produce a positive locking effect by the cumulative actionof neighboring elements when the elements are interengaged, and a sliderfor controlling the engagement and disengagement of the two series offastener elements.

2. A fastener of the class described comprising two opposed series offastener elements secured respectively to the edges of materialbordering a gap or opening, each series comprising a plurality offastener elements formed of a continuous wire, the

fastener elements of each series being so spaced and shaped as toreceive between them the fastener elements of the other series and toproduce a positive locking effect by the cumulative action ofneighboring elements when the elements, are interen'gaged, and a sliderfor controlling-the engagement and disengagement of the two seriesloffastener elements. 1

' 3. A fastener of the class-negat d comprising two opposed series offastener'elements secured respectively to the edges of materialbordering. a gap] or. opening, each.

fastener .element consisting. of a wire. loop projecting beyond theedgeoff-saidflmaterial, the fastener elements of'e'ach i I ries being so"spaced and shaped as to reeeiyebetw'en; them the fastener elements-jotthe. other.-

series and to produce a positive locking effect by the cumulative actionof neighboring elements when the elements are interengaged, and a sliderfor controlling the engagement and disengagement of the two series offastener elements.

4. A fastener of the class described comprising two opposed series offastener elements secured respectively to the edges of materialbordering a gap or opening, each fastener element consisting of a wireloop projecting beyond the edge of said material, the fastener elementsof each series being so spaced and shaped as to receive between them thefastener elements of the other series and to produce a positive lockingeffect by the cumulative action of neighboring elements when theelements are interengaged, each loop of each series having its outer endengaging behind the outer end of a loop of the other series, and aslider for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the twoseries of fastener elements.

5. A fastener of the class described, said fastener comprising opposedseries of fastener elements arranged respectively upon the edges ofmaterial bordering an opening or gap, each one of said series offastener elements consisting of an open coiled spring. all of whoseconvolutions are substantially alike, each of said convolutionsprojecting beyond the edge of the material, the convolutions being sospaced as to receive between them the fastener elements of the opposedseries, the projecting portion of each convolution of one springcomprising means adapted positively to interlock with the convolutionsof the opposite spring thereby to resist separation of the springs.

6. A fastener of the class described, said fastener comprising opposedseries of fastener elements disposed respectively at opposite edges offlexible material bordering a gap or opening, each series consisting ofan open coiled spring, the respective springs being of opposite pitch,the convolutions of one spring being spaced to receive the convolutionsof the other spring between them. each convolution of each spring beinganchored to the material bordering the gap, the outwardly projectingportions of each convolution of one spring being so shaped as to providelocking means affording positive resistance to separation from theconvolutions of the other series.

7. A fastener comprising. a pair of stringers each having a cordextending along one of its edges and an open coiled helical springsecured to the corded edge of each stringer, all of the convolutions ofeach spring being substantially alike and each convolution embracing thecord of its respective stringer, those portions of the convolution ofthe respective springs which project beyond. the cords being shaped tothat is formed of wire, and the convolutions grip each other directlyand thereby positively to oppose separating stress.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a fastenermember resilient and flexible transversely, having transverse teethresiliently connected in a series longitudinally of said member and acooperative fastener member having a series of teeth, the teeth of saidcooperative member adapted to be received between andinterlocked withthe teeth of the otherfastener member when the" fastener is closed, abody member of flexible fabric, the teeth of said first-mentionedfastener member having loop portions passing through said body memberfor connecting said first-mentioned fastener member and a slider formoving the teeth of the two series into interlocking relationship tosaid body member.

9. In interlocking fastener construction, a fabric piece having afinished edge, a series of fastener members overhanging said edge andseparated individually from adjacent members by spaces for receivingcooperating fastener members, said members being each a part of aconvolution of a coil sprin that is threaded through the material 0fabric, and said coil spring being swaged so that portions of thedifferent convolutions on opposite sides of said fabric are in a commonplane. a

10. In interlocking fastener construction, opposed edge portions ofmaterial and coil springs of open form mounted on said material andhaving spaces between adjacent convolutions for receiving theconvolutions of the mating spring, and the parts of said convolutions onone side that enter within the spaces between the convolutions on theother side having deflected or bent portions adjacent the tip or freeends for assisting in the locking effect.

11. In interlocking fastener construction, two mating series ofinterlocking members supported individually by strips of fabric, theindividual elements of each of said series comprising a convolution thatis formed of wire, and the convolutions of the two series .being shapeddifferently to facilitate interconnection, those on one side providinga.

relatively open loop and those on the other side providing a relativelypointed form of structure for being entered into said loop.

12. In interlocking fastener construction as described in claim 11, saidrelatively pointed form of structure in the case of each of theconvolutions on the said other side having the free end portion bentrelatively to the adjacent portion of the convolution to furtherfacilitate such interconnection.

13. In interlocking fastener construction, two mating series ofinterlocking members supported individually by strips of fabric, eachseries constituting part of a coil spring said of the two series beingshaped differently *to facilitate interaction, those on one sideproviding-a relatively open loop and those on the other side providing arelatively pointed hook-like structure for being entered into said loop.

14. In interlocking fastener construction, opposed edge portions ofmaterial bordering an opening or gap, coil springs threadedinto saidmaterial and each having partspf the convolutions opposed to parts ofthe other spring, said springs being of open coil form with spacesbetween adjacent convolutions for rece1ving the convolutions of themating spring, one of said springs being-swaged so that the convolutionsare substantially eggshaped, and the small or pointed ends of saidconvolutions serving as the parts that are entered between theconvolutions of the matmg spring.

15. In interlocking fastener construction as described in claim 14, theconvolutions of said mating spring being also swaged so as to besubstantially egg-shaped and being arranged so that the large or openends cooperate with said small or pointed ends.

16.' In interlocking fastener construction, opposed edge portions ofmaterial and convolutions of spring wire mounted on said material andhaving spaces between adjacent convolutions for receiving theconvolutions of the opposite side, said convolutions being threadedthrough said material, and part of the wire of each convolution opposedto one face of said material being substantially in a common plane withanother part of said wire that is opposed to the opposite face of saidmaterial.

17. In interlocking fastener construction, opposed edge portions ofmaterial and coil springs of open form mounted on said ma terial andhaving spaces between adjacent convolutions for receiving theconvolutions of the mating spring, arms serving as supports for theparts of the convolutions that enter within said spaces and consistingof one arm in front of said material and a second arm at the rearthereof, and said arms for the individual convolutions being locatedsubstantially in a common plane.

18. A fastener of the class described, said fastener comprising opposedseries of fastener elements arranged respectively upon the edges ofmaterial bordering an opening or gap, at least one of said series offastener elements consisting of an open coiled spring all of whoseconvolutions are substantially alike, each of said convolutions beinganchored to the material and projecting from the edge of the material,the projecting portion of each convolution being deformed to provide alocking element, the coils being so spaced that when the fastenerelements of the opposed series are disposed between the convolutions ofthe spring the locking element of each convolution engages an opposedfastener element thereby positively to oppose separating stress actingperpendicularly to the edge of the gap.

19. In interlocking fastener construction, a. slide comprising opposedplates that are swaged to provide divergent channels, a return bendstructure serving to interconnect 10 said plates, means in the form of afinger extending through op osed portions of the material of the slideor limiting the outward spacing of the plates, and a connecting stripserving to integrally connect said finger with one of said plates.

20. In interlocking fastener construction as described in claim 19, ahandle supported by said connecting strip.

GEORGE E. PRENTIGE.

